The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-09-23
THE WIDOWS ADONIS.
From the Argosy.


partially by that tickle Jade, fortune
No stepdame frowns fell to his share
no chilling glances, no rebuffs. Every
thing went we'll with him.
Did he speculate imprudently, the
speculation, however unpromising
was certain to do well; did he back q
rank outsider for a great race, it was
almost certain OF a place. Fortune
always befriended nim. He generally
rose a winner from his post-prandiaI
rubber, not because his skill was ex.
tr~aordinary, but from sheer force OF
luck; and it was on record that on
one occasion be broke the bank at
Monte Carlo.
He was, besides, extremely hand
some, though OF a liliputian scale; for
Fitzgerald Brandon was not only one
of the luckiest but also one of the
smallest OF men. He stood just
FIVE feet five in his boots,
DuB Ills llttbb llGIle Inquire, 6l-
ways dressed in the most perfect-it-
ting chefa-d'oeuvre OF Smalpage or
Poole, was SO erect, SO dapper and so
well proportional, that any short
eomings OF stature were readily for
given and forgotten by his numerous
admirers OF the fair sex. For, what
ever the lady novelists may say, wom-
en- are not so utterly devoted to those
lords OF herculean built and super
human physical strength who invari.
ably figure in the pages OF fashionable
fiction.
Little Fitz was, in his way, quite q
lady iller, and rs he was we'll known
to be a rich as well as a lucky man,
his lines generally fell in pleasant
places. His position in society was
assured, and many a fair demoiselIe
moving in the very best circles would
have been willing enough to share his
fortunes.
But little Fitz seemed reluctant to
don the matrimonial letters; he es-
chewed the society OF the demoiselle g
marier, preferring the maturer charms
OF ladies who already wore the mar
riage ring and yet could enjoy a airta-
tion without fear of scandal.
In short, little Fitz was a devoted
admirer of that privileged class, young
and pretty widows.
Perhaps he fondly imagined he was
less likely to be Caught" by these
bereayed sirens than by young debu-
tantes still under the maternal wing.
At all events. he was nearly always
TO be seen, with one or other of these
fair ladies, who. having doffed their
weeds, and bloomed out again in all
their pristine brilliancy. .
And that ls how he won the soubri-
quet by which he was known in every
club in London of ''The Widows
Adonis."
"Just look at the fellow? How any
woman can take up with such a con-
ceited little coxcomb Ican't imagine"
said Maitland, of the Fiftieth dra-
goons--a "heayy'' dragon in more
sense than one, for he rode fourteen
stone and was more remarked for his
breadth of shoulders than quickness
of wit-to his fdus Achates one morn
ing in the row.
There's no accounting for tastes,
muttered the other, pulling his mus
tache and darling envious glances at
little Fitz, who was seated between
two of the prettiest young widows in
London and seemed slightly to relish.
the position. II should have thought
a charming woman like Mrs. Desmond
49," He did not finish the sentence,
but glared hercely at the dapper figure
OF little Fitz, who was Laughing and
chatting gaily to his fair companions.
If looks could kill, what wholesale
slaughter would 60 on In this highly
civilized metropolis of ours.
Jack Carnforth, the impecunious off
shoot Of IN ancient family tree. would
have given a good deal to secure pref
ty Mrs, Desmond and her fortune,
which was said to be considerable. AT
one time she had accepted his homage
with apparent pleasure, but since
Fitzgerald Brandon had crossed her
path, she had turned q deaf ear to the
penniless young attaches pretty
speeches. Poor Carnforth, in spite Of
his good looks, felt that he was hope-
less out Of the running, for, though
Brandon might be, as Maitland said,
"a conceited little coxcombe," it was
impossible to deny that he possessed
the art of making himself agreeable.
The two ladies, between whom this
miniature Paris was seated, were as
antagonistic TO each other as Matt
land and Carnforth were to the object
Of their rivalry; for the two pretty
widows were rivals and hated each
5ether cordially, though they called
each other dear Minnan and ndear
Ciementina, and before the ewes Of
the world posed as great friends and
allies.
IN appearance, the two ladies con.
@wo0fnH xmafl 49, -~Ll Q-Ll.lLn fn